When someone is street smart, it means they have a good situational understanding and awareness. In simple words, they know what is going on around them and how to navigate that environment. The way they go about it is practical, generally resulting from real-life experience.
But since we all have different backgrounds, many of us didn't even get a chance to learn these lessons. However, you never know what situation you can end up in, and knowing how to respond to danger, or simply getting the best bang for your buck, can make a huge difference to your day.
Recently, Uber Facts, an online project that shares "the most unimportant things you'll never need to know" and one that we covered in the past, tweeted a question, asking, "People with 'street smarts,' what's your biggest street tip?" and received plenty of useful replies. So we decided to compile the best ones and give you a chance to learn something new. Continue scrolling and upvote the entries you like the most.
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Image credits: UberFacts
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This needs upvoted a bazillion times!!! Good on you and thanks for posting!
Children usually learn about their own relative smartness in school. Overwhelmingly, it is poor and/or students of color who are unjustly left feeling not good enough.
Jean Anyon discovered in her work concerning knowledge construction in schools that, "[Working class] children already 'know' that what it takes to get ahead is being smart, and that they themselves, are not [book smart]."
Additionally, Black and Latino students have been overly-represented in special education programs and gifted programs often result in re-segregating schools, where the White students attend the gifted program while students of color are tracked into 'regular' educational programming.
Black children as early as pre-school begin to be over-represented in what is perceived as "low ability" classes and/or classes for the "educable mentally retarded."
As mentioned above, assignments to these classes can be devastating to the students' self-perception and they may even begin to think of themselves as not smart.
Consequently, this can lead these students to have low achievement, a lack of motivation, and a desire to drop out of school altogether. The failures of many of these children are often attributed to their own abilities rather than their school's.
As Dr. Beth Hatt said, the youth think the symbols of smartness within schools include grades, diplomas, labels, standardized tests, and participation in college prep courses.
These things are what make smartness appear "real" rather than as something socio-culturally produced. They make smartness especially powerful because it becomes extremely difficult for students to challenge the ways it gets defined and how they are constructed as smart or not smart in school.
Simultaneously, these symbols begin to influence students' perceptions of themselves and their own abilities over time.
And 'winning' is when both parties understand each other better as a result.
Students who struggle to acquire the before-mentioned symbols of smartness are left to either perceive themselves as not smart or to reinterpret smartness.
When Dr. Hatt asked what they thought it meant to be smart, the youth responded with definitions that included learning what is being taught at school and how not to get caught by the police when selling drugs.
"However, two key themes overwhelmingly were present in their responses," Dr. Hatt said. "First, they clearly made a distinction between being book smart and street smart. Second, they refused to define smartness in a narrow way."
Because lots of cars have darkened windows, we usually use the hazard warning lights' triangle button for 2 flashes.
How come? Unless you are far from a dry place you'd better run to get there before you get soaked. Well, if there's no such place around you might as well walk and apply some shampoo on your hair.
I think they mean if you run, you will hit more raindrops that you would otherwise have missed.
But you are actually in the rain for a shorter period of time, so you still get less wet by running. Maybe more rain on the front of your body because you ran into it... but less wet overall.
Load More Replies...WRONG: Harvard mathematician David Bell worked out the answer back in 1976. His answer was that if the rain is falling vertically, or there is a wind blowing in your face, you should run - and the faster you run, the less wet you will get over the same distance. If the wind is blowing from behind, you should still run, but now there is an optimum speed at which you will get least wet - the speed of the wind.
This is totally false, unless you are Usain Bolt and run faster than the rain can fall. Time exposed increase the amount of wetness.
It may be true, but by running you could be home and dry by the time you got home walking
This is not true. A simple google will bring you to several articles about this. In general, running is better. Here’s one of the many sources: https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/do-you-get-wetter-if-you-run-or-walk-in-the-rain/amp/
The reality of this statement is yet unknown. Mythbusters, in a controlled environment, declared it was better to walk. However, when the test was rerun in an actual rainstorm, it was determined that it is better to run. Therefore, it's simply best to get an umbrella.
And freshly wet pavement is extra slippery, so you can fall and get really wet.
The Floridians I know have always done this... we might do a light jog but that's usually more about getting out of the lightening. Unless it's one of the torrential summer downpours we get, and then you're going to be just as wet if you walk, run, or crawl.
They actually tested this on Mythbusters. You will get the same amount of wet whether you walk or run, so you may as well run so you can get to a dry place more quickly.
Mythbusted! Yes, one would think the MB confirmed this one, S2 IT, but they revisited S3 E25, and it's... busted ;)
"At first, this appeared contradictory because the youth seemed to be simultaneously defining street smart as the ultimate form of smartness while also defining smartness in a way that allowed everyone to be defined as smart."
"Eventually, I realized that these were not necessarily contradictory definitions. Instead, they were both attempts at agency in speaking back to the narrow definition of smartness that had been imposed upon them in school and an attempt at reinterpreting their own identities," Dr. Hatt said.
When Dr. Hatt asked the youth to define smartness they were quick to define it as book smarts vs. street smarts.
Book smarts were directly connected to the symbols mentioned previously but street smarts were often defined as a direct counter to book smarts or the dominant discourse of smartness.
The following include some of the ways the youth defined street smarts:
"Able to not go into bankruptcy I guess... and stay out of trouble. Just able to survive on the street without getting into trouble, and keeping a home for yourself and everything going," Calveda.
♪ Don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious ♪ Wait- do be suspicious!
"If you can make ends meet, whether you're educated or not... like in school I was a book smart type person, but when I dropped out I had to learn the street smarts part of it. And yeah, I was 19 years old, 20 years old, and I had $30,000 and I could do anything I wanted with it, but yet it was illegal," Nickili.
"I believe I have some street smarts. Like I've never been arrested for drugs... I know not to walk around here with all these drugs on me broadcasting it. I mean, that would be stupid... I know when trouble should occur that I need to leave, and get out of that situation, or I have to handle my business, or not handle my business," Quinn.
"Street smarts were connected with being able to maneuver through the structures in their lives such as poverty, the police, street culture, and abusive 'others,'" Dr. Hatt said. "This distinction is key because street smarts stress agency in countering social structures or obstacles whereas, for many of the students, book smarts represented those structures or obstacles, particularly in their efforts of passing the GED or acquiring 'papers.'"
This begs the question, why is teaching (and, in turn, learning) so fragmented? Can't we figure out a way how to teach the young in a more inclusive manner? One that doesn't force them to choose between books and the street? But that's a topic for another time.
Not just on the street or whatever - this can apply to a lot of situations
Yeah, first it's hello back, then him "what's your name", or wevs. Then the insults fly and if you're lucky, they give up. Not all men, but enough men. So no to your post, as nice as you might be.
"You can only fool someone who thinks you are weaker than them one time" - Sabretooth
I never use my cell or ear buds when I am out or walking somewhere. I use a cane and its too enticing I think, to a criminal, if they see this! I also carry my purse cross body and am prepared to use my cane as a club or weapon.
I'd say keep cash in multiple pockets so you can hand them the cash from your front pocket and they think they've got it all, but you've got a reserve in the back, or the other side. If they're going to steal your money, they're probably going to steal your phone. That's my tip.
Also as a woman, be ready to bend a bit and grab balls. That hurts and will drop them to the ground fast. If their pants are super low and even if belted, if you tug and pull on the legs they will drop like a sack if potatoes and lose their grip on whatever weapon they have, then you can run or call the police! If you can, hold onto their pants. If they shimmy out of them and run, you got DNA AND A WALLET or something they carry thats personal!
Lol I worked at a gas station that some guy was driving around the parking lot trying to sell some speaker system I was pretty sure it was stolen....same guy? Lmao
Nah. I don't think my Nigerian prince will betray me like that.
I was delivering Christmas gifts in a bad section of Orlando and was stopped my some very nicely dressed men coming home from church who were concerned for my safety. I explained my task, and they took me there, stayed on the porch, and made sure I got out of the neighborhood safely. Very nice men in a very scary neighborhood that I had no idea existed.
This! This right here is so annoying. You've obviously never went to dinner with 8 guys who all insisted they sit in that spot. So. Fripping. Annoying. No, Kevin, Donald, Goofy, Bobby, Dylan, etc. you are not a character in some novel. Your a pretentious jerk who wants everyone to believe that you secretly live a dangerous life when the most dangerous thing you do is let Grandma drive you to church on Sunday.
If you go to a bar alone and it feels "rough", don't drink alcohol there. Leave.
So we are betting on foreigners tracking our movements in the first place?
Yeah, go ahead and trick the little independent restaurant into giving you a four cover table when you only need two. In fact, why not go the whole hog and book the entire restaurant out so you and Briony can have a little intimate time without all the NPCs crowding you out?
Met people like this. I'm a give for free anything your willing to do without. There is a lot of stuff/time I just don't care about. Like, it's nothing for me to give you 10 mins to vent or empathy if you need to tell a stranger about the recent death in the family. Want my unopened snack food, sure here. I'm going to be ok until the next meal anyway, you might not. I don't give money though. That feels like I'm being scammed. Coworker complaining about having to work this weekend and I'm not doing anything special, I'll work it and expect a polite thanks in return. Nothing else. I don't hold it over your head or demand anything tangible in return.
My boyfriend was an Army Ranger and spent 20 years in combat, he is now a State Police Lieutenant for Illinois usually assigned to the worst areas of Chicago. We both grew up together in Cicero, IL in the 70's and 80's which is rather notorious on it's own. Trust me- go with the or 4- be in the habit of carrying multiple items to defend yourself. I have at all times a pocket knife, pepper spray on my keys and in my jacket pocket and a concealed carry license. If for whatever reason those things don't work for you- go to the boat store and get yourself an emergency flare gun- I keep one in my car. Virtually no problems with legality and no one is going to mess with you once they realize they have a good chance of being hit with a flaming bar of potassium nitrate that will melt their clothes into their skin. Gruesome I know, but there are some very bad people in the world, protect yourselves.
What if you want to spare someone else from having to make the sacrifice that you made?
Some of these are actually laughable. "Fighting skills are a must..." Surely the ability to avoid fights is more rewarding
If you are old enough to drink you are no longer a girl but a woman and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
It seems like most of this advice isn't good advice. I mean what's with the not trusting anyone? I've got trust issues and I think that's overkill. I know there are people you can't trust in life, but that doesn't mean you just don't trust anybody at all. There are good people in this world.
A long time ago I decided that I would rather go through life trusting people, and occasionally getting hurt, than live assuming the worst of everyone. I get burned, but I think it's a better way to live. I have also helped a ton of people. *Obviously this does not apply for women in bar situations or alleyways. I'm sorry the world is shitty enough that the asterisk is needed.
People who are ‘overly paranoid’, what’s your biggest paranoia tip?
Some people spent way too much time trying to be clever, but here's some actual and useful advice. If you're going to a concert or sporting event, take a couple of extra minutes when you arrive to back into your parking space, especially if you're parking in a parking structure. When the event is over and everybody is trying to get out of the parking lot, you get to pull straight out and drive away - at least to the extent possible by the other people in the lot. But if you pulled straight into the space, you have to wait for somebody nice to let you back out. Not only is it easier for you to leave if you backed into the space, but you reduce the delay to others, too.
Always, always lock your car doors and- DO NOT KEEP YOUR HOUSE KEYS AND CAR KEYS ON THE SAME KEY RING. If you are car jacked, the bastard that took your car doesn't have immediate access to your home and anyone who is there.
I don’t expect to be car jacked any time soon, but I do keep my keys separate. If I lose my house key I can drive to the person that has my spare, if I lose my car key, I can get into my house to get the spare….
Load More Replies...Don't trust anyone, ever. Be miserable. Hide. Don't ever be polite. This entire list is ridiculous. Be reasonable here. Not everyone is out to get you.
Where do people live? So much advice about being careful when walking alone. Sure, be more careful when you're alone at night and there are no people on the street, but come on, do you all live in Gotham City?
Some good, some bad... some too easily taken too far... like the "mind yo' business" - suuure.... but... extending it to "don't ask anyone what they think of you, don't ask them ... " now that's veering into the "I will not be considerate or take any advice, ever" territory. That kind of singular-closed-off-pov doesn't sound like a recipe for good things.
If someone seems a little suspicious or shady, talk to them directly. Be open, bold, and loudly friendly. Ask them for a small favor, like telling you the time. Often, this will catch them off guard and diffuse the situation. They will feel caught out and seen, and therefore less likely to go through with anything bad, and they'll feel fonder of you after doing you a small favor.
If you find yourself in a nearly empty car on the subway when it would be weird for that to be the case (the other cars are packed, for example) that is not a time to think "score! I get a seat!" That is the time to quickly leave for one of the more packed cars.
This list is stupid. This is street smarts if you are talking about the cul-de-sac. I don't know if any of these people have actually ever been on the streets, or if they've just heard it from a friend of a friend. The one is just stolen from another thread that they reworded. Joke. That and they act like it's cool, you know street smarts because your life literally depends on it, not because it's fücking trendy.
Turns out my best tip is not living in a place where you need all these tips. True, I don't go out at night anymore, but my area is pretty safe. Hint: not the US.
I'm going to take the downvotes I'm sure to get for being "paranoid" in the hopes of keeping someone else safe. My boyfriend was an Army Ranger and spent 20 years in combat, he is now a State Police Lieutenant for Illinois usually assigned to the worst areas of Chicago. We both grew up together in Cicero, IL in the 70's and 80's which is rather notorious on it's own. Trust me- be in the habit of carrying multiple items to defend yourself. I have at all times a pocket knife, pepper spray on my keys and in my jacket pocket and a concealed carry license. If for whatever reason those things don't work for you- go to the boat store and get yourself an emergency flare gun- I keep one in my car. Virtually no problems with legality and no one is going to mess with you once they realize they have a good chance of being hit with a flaming bar of potassium nitrate that will melt their clothes into their skin. Gruesome I know, but there are some very bad people in the world, protect yourselves
Send me your cash, PayPal me any funds you have that you feel are a burden, I will store them in a safe place and you’ll never have to worry about getting them stolen by some dodgy n’er do well. I’m an honest bloke on the internet, you can trust me….
It seems like most of this advice isn't good advice. I mean what's with the not trusting anyone? I've got trust issues and I think that's overkill. I know there are people you can't trust in life, but that doesn't mean you just don't trust anybody at all. There are good people in this world.
A long time ago I decided that I would rather go through life trusting people, and occasionally getting hurt, than live assuming the worst of everyone. I get burned, but I think it's a better way to live. I have also helped a ton of people. *Obviously this does not apply for women in bar situations or alleyways. I'm sorry the world is shitty enough that the asterisk is needed.
People who are ‘overly paranoid’, what’s your biggest paranoia tip?
Some people spent way too much time trying to be clever, but here's some actual and useful advice. If you're going to a concert or sporting event, take a couple of extra minutes when you arrive to back into your parking space, especially if you're parking in a parking structure. When the event is over and everybody is trying to get out of the parking lot, you get to pull straight out and drive away - at least to the extent possible by the other people in the lot. But if you pulled straight into the space, you have to wait for somebody nice to let you back out. Not only is it easier for you to leave if you backed into the space, but you reduce the delay to others, too.
Always, always lock your car doors and- DO NOT KEEP YOUR HOUSE KEYS AND CAR KEYS ON THE SAME KEY RING. If you are car jacked, the bastard that took your car doesn't have immediate access to your home and anyone who is there.
I don’t expect to be car jacked any time soon, but I do keep my keys separate. If I lose my house key I can drive to the person that has my spare, if I lose my car key, I can get into my house to get the spare….
Load More Replies...Don't trust anyone, ever. Be miserable. Hide. Don't ever be polite. This entire list is ridiculous. Be reasonable here. Not everyone is out to get you.
Where do people live? So much advice about being careful when walking alone. Sure, be more careful when you're alone at night and there are no people on the street, but come on, do you all live in Gotham City?
Some good, some bad... some too easily taken too far... like the "mind yo' business" - suuure.... but... extending it to "don't ask anyone what they think of you, don't ask them ... " now that's veering into the "I will not be considerate or take any advice, ever" territory. That kind of singular-closed-off-pov doesn't sound like a recipe for good things.
If someone seems a little suspicious or shady, talk to them directly. Be open, bold, and loudly friendly. Ask them for a small favor, like telling you the time. Often, this will catch them off guard and diffuse the situation. They will feel caught out and seen, and therefore less likely to go through with anything bad, and they'll feel fonder of you after doing you a small favor.
If you find yourself in a nearly empty car on the subway when it would be weird for that to be the case (the other cars are packed, for example) that is not a time to think "score! I get a seat!" That is the time to quickly leave for one of the more packed cars.
This list is stupid. This is street smarts if you are talking about the cul-de-sac. I don't know if any of these people have actually ever been on the streets, or if they've just heard it from a friend of a friend. The one is just stolen from another thread that they reworded. Joke. That and they act like it's cool, you know street smarts because your life literally depends on it, not because it's fücking trendy.
Turns out my best tip is not living in a place where you need all these tips. True, I don't go out at night anymore, but my area is pretty safe. Hint: not the US.
I'm going to take the downvotes I'm sure to get for being "paranoid" in the hopes of keeping someone else safe. My boyfriend was an Army Ranger and spent 20 years in combat, he is now a State Police Lieutenant for Illinois usually assigned to the worst areas of Chicago. We both grew up together in Cicero, IL in the 70's and 80's which is rather notorious on it's own. Trust me- be in the habit of carrying multiple items to defend yourself. I have at all times a pocket knife, pepper spray on my keys and in my jacket pocket and a concealed carry license. If for whatever reason those things don't work for you- go to the boat store and get yourself an emergency flare gun- I keep one in my car. Virtually no problems with legality and no one is going to mess with you once they realize they have a good chance of being hit with a flaming bar of potassium nitrate that will melt their clothes into their skin. Gruesome I know, but there are some very bad people in the world, protect yourselves
Send me your cash, PayPal me any funds you have that you feel are a burden, I will store them in a safe place and you’ll never have to worry about getting them stolen by some dodgy n’er do well. I’m an honest bloke on the internet, you can trust me….